Latest news with #SpelthorneBoroughCouncil
BBC News
21 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Plans for Staines four-star hotel by River Thames fall through
Plans for a riverside four-star hotel in Surrey have fallen through after the council decided that the project was "no longer practical".Spelthorne Borough Council had been working with Arora Group to agree plans to regenerate the land under Bridge Street car park in Staines, which would include developing the the council has now said it has agreed to terminate the lease for the site, subject to approval at a full council meeting in Sexton, leader of the council, cited the upcoming reorganisation of local government as a driving factor in the decision. She said: "While this was a difficult decision, it reflects our responsibility to adapt to new priorities and the reorganisation of local government means we must reassess what is right for Staines."We remain committed to creating a vibrant future for the town and will work closely with the community as we plan the next steps for this important site."Under the original plans signed in February, Arora had agreed to lease the site to develop the site of the car park and neighbouring Hanover development would have included creating a four-star hotel by the side of the River declined to comment on the decision.A council spokesperson added that it would be continuing to look at future options for the site, which will continue to operate as a public car park in the government reorganisation plans will see councils in Surrey disbanded and reformed into a number of unitary authorities as part of national government devolution plans.
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Public in Spelthorne urged to contribute to planning document
Residents of a Surrey district are being urged to have their say on a document which would influence the future of their towns.A public consultation is under way into the Spelthorne Design Code, which will be used as criteria for planning applications put before Spelthorne Borough will contain guidance on issues including the height and size of buildings, green and public spaces, street layouts and where new housing could be built, the council consultation will run until 4 August. The draft code has already been updated after a first public consultation in March and authority also previously organised walking tours to gather public opinion about the Beecher, chair of the environment and sustainability committee, said the code set out a "shared vision for how we want our borough to grow"."The Design Code reflects what matters most to the people of Spelthorne," he said."This survey is your final chance to help shape this important planning document so please do have your say."
BBC News
7 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Second home owners in part of Surrey hit with double tax bill
Second home owners in a Surrey borough will be hit with double council tax bills in an effort to "combat housing shortages". Spelthorne Borough Council has agreed to introduce a 100% council tax premium on furnished properties that are not used as someone's main home, as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).The change, set to start from 1 April 2027, means affected owners will pay twice the standard council tax rate on their second councillor Darren Clarke said at the council meeting: "There are better ways in order to try and occupy more homes than just increasing the amount of council tax that can be levied against them, in a kind of cash grab." Members agreed to initiate the changes for second homes and properties that have been empty for a year at a full council meeting on Thursday. The decision came after the government changed local authority powers to set council tax for empty second homes.A council report stated the policy was "to encourage owners to bring the properties back into the housing market for occupation to combat housing shortages nationwide whilst obtaining further council tax payments to fund local services".The LDRS reported only 76 properties in the borough would be affected by the change, according to council documents.
BBC News
24-06-2025
- BBC News
Spelthorne restricts hoverboards, catapults and balaclavas
Anyone caught with a catapult, wearing a balaclava or riding a hoverboard "antisocially" in a part of Surrey will now face fines or is hoped that the new public space protection order in the borough of Spelthorne, which came into force on Monday, will help to reduce antisocial follows a consultation last year where 98% of residents voted in favour of the Sexton, leader of Spelthorne Borough Council, said: "While it's not a silver bullet, it adds another tool in our fight to keep Spelthorne safe." What is banned? Antisocial use of bicycles, e-bikes, skateboards, e-scooters, hoverboards, and similar devicesUse of face coverings such as masks, balaclavas, and scarves in ways that cause concernPossession of catapults, slingshots, or similar items without a legitimate reason Police said that anyone who breaks the order after being warned by an officer could face a fixed penalty notice or even there are exemptions, for example face coverings worn for medical, cultural or religious reasons, or the use of a bait catapult for public consultation last November found 98% backed the proposals on bikes and similar personal transport, 98% agreed with controls on catapults and slingshots and 99% support restrictions on face Matthew Walton, Spelthorne's borough commander, said: "The order will enhance our ability to deal with key issues that the public tell us concern them the most around antisocial behaviour."We will work with the community safety team in the borough council to help enforce this."
BBC News
22-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Spelthorne litter pickers get King's Award for Voluntary Service
A Surrey litter picking group has been presented with an "MBE for charities" to mark its work to keep the community Litter Pickers was formed in 2020 with the aim of keeping the borough clean through volunteer events across the group has now been honoured with the King's Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award given to volunteer groups in the Lunn, co-founder of the group, said receiving the award was "really special" and had spurred them on to continue their work. She added: "The group has really made a difference. I think everyone is really delighted that we have been recognised even though what we do is not glamorous."Receiving the award was absolutely amazing. It was a really big achievement and everybody feels it." Formed during the Covid-19 pandemic, Ms Lunn added that the group now includes volunteers ranging from five years old to group carries out a monthly litter pick across the area as well as encouraging volunteers to do their own work in their own added that, since forming, the group has led efforts to clean up Spelthorne, including getting a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for the area to tackle littered nitrous oxide pickers from the group collected the award at a ceremony at Spelthorne Borough Council on Tuesday, 15 award was first created in 2002 as the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service to celebrate the Golden King's Award is equivalent to an MBE for Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Surrey Michael More-Molyneux, who presented the award, said: "It was a pleasure to present this award to the Spelthorne Litter Pickers."They carry out fantastic voluntary work in Spelthorne and fully deserve our thanks and the recognition that comes with this award."
